MOVING SUPPLIES 101

One of the most daunting tasks in the moving process is the actual packing. 

While packing is never fun, it is a great deal easier if you have the correct products. 

The goal is to make sure your valuables and possessions get from point A to point B in one piece. 

While it is important to hire quality movers such as A-1 Professional Movers, having the right packaging supplies and boxes will make the process a lot easier and safer.

• Moving Boxes
• 16 x 12 x 12, Small Box – This is also known as a 1.5 or a book box. This is the size box you want to use for books, compact discs, DVD’s or any really heavy but small boxes. If you own LP records, they will fit in this box perfectly. You want boxes this size because of the objects which will go in them. If you put all of your books in a larger size box, you won’t be able to lift it and neither will the movers. Many times if you over pack a box and it is too heavy, the movers will have you re-pack it. Movers are strong but they aren’t superhuman.
  
  18 x 18 x16, Medium Box – This is a great overall box. Unless it is full of books, you can pretty much put whatever you want in it. It is a great size to hold a lot of your possessions but not so big that more than one person would have to carry it. You will use a bunch of these when you move.

• 24 x 18 x 18, Large Box – This is a good size box for clothes, linen and toys. It can also be used for items such as pots and pans that have long handles. You want to be very careful when using this box. You don’t want to overload the box and make it too heavy to carry.

• 24 x 18 x 18, Extra Large Box – You need to be very careful when using this box. It will get very heavy quickly. Uses for the extra large box are packing comforters, stuffed animals and light items such as Tupperware.

• 18 x 18 x 28, Dishpack Box – This is a great box for dishes and glasses. It is also good for garden implements because of the added height. It is a double walled box which means it has two layers of corrugated which makes it a stronger box. This box can be used by itself or with a cell divider kit which is a set of cardboard inserts for glasses and dishes which is sectioned. Regardless if you use a cell kit, you want to make sure you wrap your items with paper or bubble wrap.

• 24 x 20 x 46 Wardrobe Box – These boxes are great for hanging clothes. The box comes with a hanger so you can take your items, out of the closet, put them in the box and transport them to your destination. Once you get there, take them out and put them back in your closet. The box is two feet wide, so measure your closets and this will give you an idea of how many boxes you need.

• Picture Mirror Boxes – There are two basic sizes of picture mirror boxes. The first is the inner/outer combo. The inner box is 37 x 3 x 30 and the outer is 37 x 3 ½ x 30 although the sizes can vary. These boxes can be used individually or you can nest the two together to make one box which gives you added height. The second box is a 40 x 60 x 3 box which is also known as a four-piece picture mirror box. This box comes in four pieces, with each piece folding over to make one corner. This box is handy because it is adjustable on the length and width. It can be adjusted down to 20 x 30 inches or go up to 40 x 60 inches. You nest each corner together and then tape around all of the seams.

Packing Supplies

• Newsprint or Wrapping Paper -You can purchase unprinted newsprint which works very well. It usually comes in 10, 25 and 50 lb. bundles. You want to use the paper liberally. Use two to three sheets for each item. Wad up a nest of paper in the bottom of the box to provide cushioning. Pack your dishes in the box, horizontally as opposed to vertical. This will keep them from breaking. Continue to add more paper for wadding. If you go to close the box and the flaps close easily, you don’t have enough paper. Items usually break because there is space for them to move around and hit each other.

• Bubble Wrap – There are two different types of bubble wrap, ½ inch and 3/16 inch. The half inch or fat bubbles are great for wrapping pictures, mirrors and large items. Be careful when wrapping items with lacquered wood or other finishes. If the bubble is in contact with the wood for a long period of time, it can react with the finish and leave little bubble marks on the surface. You might want to place paper between the surface and the bubble wrap. The 3/16 inch bubble is really good for dishes, glasses, smaller framed photos and nick-nack type items. It is more form fitting and doesn’t take up as much space in the box. If you have fine china or crystal, you definitely want to invest in some bubble wrap. Both sizes come in a variety of widths ranging from one to four feet.

• Tape – Your best bet for using tape is to use either the clear or tan acrylic tape. The rolls are two inches wide and 55 to 110 yards long. Make sure to purchase good tape. Use a mil thickness of 1.8 or better. Cheap tape will split and crack making it frustrating to use. If you are using this tape, it is highly recommended that you purchase a tape gun. It will make your job easier. If you don’t want to do this, have a sharp pair of scissors handy. Once you tape a box, flip a little piece of tape under so you have something to grab on to. If the tape rolls back up on the roll, it is very difficult to find the end to use it again. In this case it is better to use tan tape than clear because it is easier to find the end.

• As with any job, having the right tools at your disposal makes your job a lot easier. While it is an added expense to use the proper boxes and packing supplies, you will ensure your possessions get to your destination intact.

Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences that we go through. The idea of packing up and moving to another place, even if it is just down the street can be a nerve-wracking experience. 

If the move is across town, state or country, it can be even more stressful. 

If you have children, moving them from the comfort of their home, school and friends can also lead to stressful situations. 

However, if you plan your move, it can take a lot of the stress out of the situation.

We understand that all moves are different, which is why we have packing options …
Full-Service Packing
Leave everything up to us, we’ll take care of your entire home or office.

Simplify your move
Every move can feel like a big one. Let A-1 Professional Movers with more than 30 years do the heavy lifting.

Here’s part of what you get when you schedule your move:

• Let us handle large items with our crane vans.
• Leave everything up to us, we’ll take care of your entire home or office, including:

1. Moving supplies
2. Packing and unpacking
3. Loading and unloading
4. Secure transport

This is also the time to hire your mover. 

It is critical that you don’t wait until the last minute to do this. 

The end of the month is usually the busiest time of the month for moving companies so you want to make sure that you have your move scheduled well in advance. 

Waiting until the last minute might cause you to make a choice that you may regret. When hiring a Houston Moving Company, you want to make sure that you hire a Houston Moving Company like A-1 Professional Movers that is licensed, bonded and insured. 

You also want to choose a company that has experience in the moving industry. A-1 Professional Movers has more than 30 years of experience so you will get the caliber of service that you deserve.

Once you get about a month away from the moving date, begin to pack. Start with the items that you know you won’t need in the next month. 

Packing can be one of the most daunting tasks involved with your move. 

If you try to do it all at once, you will be overwhelmed. 

If you break it down and work on it each day, the process will be much easier to handle. 

Also begin the process of getting any magazine subscriptions changed over to your new residence.

Two weeks before the move, start making the final push to get things packed. 

Get in touch with any financial institutions and other businesses and start getting your address changed over. 

You can also begin the process of staging your items for the move.

The last couple of days before the move, you want to start unhooking appliances and packing the last of the boxes. 

Leave unpacked only the bare essentials that you will need to survive with during the move. 

Follow up with the moving company to make sure that all the final arrangements are taken care of that that the moving day is still solid.

If you have followed all of these steps, moving day becomes the easiest part. Your work is done. 

Now all you have to do is let your movers do the rest. 

When you hire the experts at A-1 Professional Movers, you will know that your Houston Movers, will be professional, courteous, and will treat your household goods like their own.

Moving can be one of the most stressful things you have to do.  

Whether it is for a job, relationship or just wanting to live somewhere else, people move several times over the course of their lives.  

An added stress is hiring the wrong moving company.  

When choosing a Houston Moving Company, it is important to know what to ask and look for.

When hiring a Houston Mover, make sure that they are licensed, bonded and insured.  

There are specific requirements for moving companies to operate.  However, not all of them are followed. 

 Just because two people show up and start loading your valuables into a truck does not make them a moving company.  

Find out what their credentials are.  

Ask how much experience they have in the moving industry.  

Make sure to ask about additional insurance coverage, especially if you have items of significant value.  

You may not need it, but it is good to know it is available.  

When you hire a professional moving company, the chance of something getting broken or scratched is significantly lowered. 

 However, occasionally an accident will occur. 

If the Houston Mover doesn’t have insurance, you run the risk on not being able to get your possessions replaced.

When getting a quote, make sure to be forthcoming about what you need moved.  

If you fill out an online quote or get a quote by phone, the person quoting can only quote on what you tell them you need moved.  

Forgetting items when getting a quote can add to the cost once the movers arrive.  

If you give a full inventory of what you need moved, then you should get an accurate quote.  

There are some moving companies that will give a really low quote and once the job is done, hundreds or thousands of dollars can be added in extra charges.  

When you deal with the experts at A-1 Professional Movers, you will be treated in a fair and honest manner.

Pricing is always a concern when choosing a Houston Moving Company.  

We all want to get the best deal possible.  

However, be wary of a moving company that has a much lower price that their competitors.  

There is a really good chance you will get what you pay for in terms of service.  

You might have to pay a little more to hire a quality moving company, but the end result will be a much more positive experience.

Another good idea is to check on the Houston Mover through organizations like the Better Business Bureau.  

This is a good resource to find out about the reputation of the mover.  

If they have excessive complaints, you might want to steer clear of them.  A few complaints are disagreements.  

Excessive complaints are bad business practices.

It is important to do your due diligence in regards choosing a Houston Mover.  At A-1 Professional Movers, you will always get a fair and accurate quote, professional service and the security in knowing that your household goods will be treated with care.